Storytime: “B” is for Bees

Storytime: “B” is for Bees

Storytime: “B” is for Bees

To bee or not to bee, that is the question! Did you know that one honey bee, in its entire life-span, will make only one teaspoon of honey? Explore the world of bees with these books and activities, and then talk with your child why bees are SO important to our ecosystem, and what to do if they see a bee.

Join us Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room.

Ages 2-5

Sing, Talk, Read, Write, Play

Tip

Rhymes and songs that involve sequencing and memory can help children prepare for school. In the “Bee in the Box,” listen for a certain phrase, and then react to it with a large physical movement. In addition to having fun, your child is actually developing their gross motor skills.

Activity

Ask your child to join you in pretending to climb into a box and shut the lid. It’s very dark inside! Turn the handle and begin reciting the rhyme, Bee in the Box. On the last line, pop out of the box and “buzz” around the room!

Books Presented

Bees! by Elizabeth Winchester

Get the inside scoop on the world’s most fascinating creatures! Meet a beekeeper. Peek inside a beehive. Find out how some bees make honey. Learn more than thirty fun facts about these busy insects.

Bee-wigged by Cece Bell

Jerry, a large bee who longs to have friends, finds that by putting on a wig he can pass for a boy, until one day while he is leading the annual school parade the wind starts blowing very hard.

A Bear, a Bee, and a Honey Tree by Daniel Bernstrom

When a hungry, fuzzy brown bear and a hive of angry bees come face to face, everybody’s abuzz!

The Hidden Rainbow by Christie Matheson

Illustrations and simple, rhyming text invite the reader to uncover the rainbow of colors hidden in a garden, which helps flowers bloom and bees find food. Includes facts about bees and their importance.

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

Bee in the Box

Bee in the ____ box sitting so still.
Will he come out?
Yes, he will!
*red, blue, yellow, green

5 Busy Honey Bees

Five busy honey bees were resting in the sun.
The first one said, “Let us have some fun.”
The second one said, “Where shall it be?”
The third one said, “In the honey tree.”
The fourth one said, “Let’s make some honey sweet.”
The fifth one said, “With pollen on our feet.”
The five little busy bees sang their buzzing tune,
As they worked in the beehive all that afternoon.
Bzzzzzz! Bzzzzzz! Bzzzzzz! Bzzzzzz! Bzzzzzz!

Crafts and Activities

B is for Bees

Make a Bee headband

Additional Books

What Does the Bee See? by Soo-hyeon Kim

A little bee encounters objects and guesses what they might be until the whole is revealed. Children will develop observation, logical thinking and imagination skills by following the bee through the story.

A Season to Bee: a Stylish Book of Colors by Carlos Aponte

Fashion illustrator Carlos Aponte gives readers front row seats to the runway show of the season! Join Miss V. McQueen and her band of fashion bugs as they flit and flutter their brilliant colors down the catwalk. Ladybug reds, butterfly golds, and grasshopper greens provide young readers with a chic introduction to the colors found all around us

Beware! by Bob Raczka

Using words made up of only the five letters “beware,” a little bear named Abe and a bee named Bree, who have been warned about each other, compete for the flowers in their meadow, but end up as friends willing to put aside their differences and share

Bee Friendly Charlotte by Andrea Kaczmarek

Charlotte decides to make a bee-friendly garden, to protect her insect friends!

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SEPTEMBER Book Babies + Toddlers: ABCs

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Storytime: Green

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May Kids ‘n’ Tween Programs

Books For Boys & Great Reads for GirlsMeet Princess Cimorene—a princess who refuses to be proper. She’s everything a princess shouldn’t be: headstrong, tomboyish, smart… And bored. So bored she runs away to live with Kazul, one of the most powerful dragons around!...

Storytime: “B” is for Bananas

Storytime: “B” is for Bananas

Storytime: “B” is for Bananas

One banana, two bananas, three bananas, four! Did you know that a cluster of bananas is called a ‘hand’, while a single banana is called a ‘finger’? Or that a strawberry is not a berry, but a banana is. As your child learns the sound for the letter “B”, try out some of these activities about bananas, then explore with a new banana recipe together!

Join us Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room.

Ages 2-5

Sing, Talk, Read, Write, Play

Tip

Children love to count and “uncount” things, and books are a great tool to encourage this skill which helps to them develop their sense of numbers.

Activity

Try reading a book like, Counting Crocodiles, by Judy Sierra or another counting book. You could act out the story with the monkey and alligators, or turn it in to a fingerplay!

Books Presented

Counting Crocodiles by Judy Sierra

 
In this rhymed retelling of a traditional Asian tale, a clever monkey uses her ability to count to outwit the hungry crocodiles that stand between her and a banana tree on another island across the sea.

Pete the Cat and the Bad Banana by James Dean

 
Pete the Cat bites into a bad banana and vows never to eat bananas again, even though he generally likes the fruit.

Why the Banana Split: An Adventure in Idioms by Rick Walton

 
The people and objects of a town panic and flee when they see a Tyrannosaurus rex approaching, but they discover that only the bananas have anything to fear from this fruit-eating dinosaur.

My Dog Banana by Roxane Brouillard

In a park, a child walks a banana on the end of a leash. This unusual thing, to say the least, attracts the attention of passers-by who gather around. A long discussion ensues where people try to understand why the child is walking a banana, while the child tries to make them understand that the banana is a dog. More precisely, a dog-banana.

 

 

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

Bananas! Bananas!

Bananas! Bananas!
I’m looking for bananas!
I’m looking for bananas in the blue* pajamas!
*red, yellow, green, purple, orange

5 Yellow Bananas

5 yellow bananas, and not one more.
The monkey ate one, & then there were 4.

4 yellow bananas, so yummy to see.
The monkey ate one, & then there were 3.

3 yellow bananas, & he knew what to do.
The monkey ate one, & then there were 2.

2 yellow bananas, hanging in the sun.
The monkey ate one, & then there was 1.

1 yellow banana, well for goodness sake.
The monkey ate that one, & he got a tummy ache.

Now there are no little bananas hanging on the tree.
Monkey, your tummy wouldn’t hurt if you had shared them with me!

Crafts and Activities

B is for Banana

Make a banana from a paper plate

Additional Books

Piranhas Don't Eat Bananas by Aaron Blabey

Told in rhyming text, Brian tries to get his fellow piranhas to try his fruit and vegetable platter, but they all prefer meat–like those human feet dangling in the water.

Three Bite Rule by Anne Lamb

When Grumpy Toad claims he doesn’t eat bananas, Pete the Cat encourages Grumpy to try the banana casserole Pete brought for the class potluck.

Grumpy Monkey Ready, Set, Bananas! by Suzanne Lang

Jim Panzee begrudgingly agrees to help Tortoise enter the big race.

Barry The Banana Has a Party by Jade Maitre

Barry the Banana is having a great party – until a monkey comes along!

More Story Times

Story Time: A is for Armadillo

Sometimes, both children and adults may hesitate to engage with non-fiction books, finding them too challenging, boring, or uninteresting. However, non-fiction books play a crucial role in helping children connect with and understand the world around them, expand...

SEPTEMBER Book Babies + Toddlers: ABCs

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Story Time: A is for Alligator

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Storytime: Purple

Grapes, lavender, eggplants, and purple crayons—oh, the fun things that are purple! They're all waiting in a book, ready for you to discover. Mix blue and red playdough to create your own purple, then cut out shapes with cookie cutters. Don't forget to try these...

Storytime: Green

Green is the color of grass, trees, and many leaves. It makes us think of nature, spring, and fresh things growing. Frogs, peas, and apples can be green too! Green is a calm and happy color that helps us feel peaceful and full of energy. It’s like a big hug from...

July Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

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May Kids ‘n’ Tween Programs

Books For Boys & Great Reads for GirlsMeet Princess Cimorene—a princess who refuses to be proper. She’s everything a princess shouldn’t be: headstrong, tomboyish, smart… And bored. So bored she runs away to live with Kazul, one of the most powerful dragons around!...

APRIL Book Babies + Toddler Time: BUGS!

APRIL Book Babies + Toddler Time: BUGS!

APRIL Book Babies + Toddler Time: BUGS!

Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! Oh, how we love bugs in all their varieties and the nursery rhymes that accompany them! The Itsy Bitsy Spider, The Ants Go Marching, Little Arabella Miller, and The Bees in the Beehive are favorites of ours. Can you remember some “bug” songs from your childhood? Share them with your child, and begin a multi-generational bugfest! Or try some of these at Childhood101.com.

Book Babies: Wednesday @ 9:30am in Community Room

Ages 0 – 10 months

Toddler Time: Monday & Tuesday @ 9:30am in Community Room

Ages 11 – 23 months

 

Welcome Songs

Here We Are Together

Here we are together, together, together! Oh, here we are together in our library. There’s (sing names)… Here we are together in our library!

Hello Everybody

Hello everybody let’s clap our hands*, clap our hands, clap our hands. Hello everybody let’s clap our hands today! *pat our head, stretch up high, wiggle our fingers, tickle our knees, kick our feet, bounce up high!

S, T, R, W, P

(Sing while pointing to each finger on your child’s hand.) Sing, talk, read, write, play! Sing, talk, read write, play! Sing, talk, read, write, play! Sing, talk, read, write, play each day!

Sing, Talk, Read, Write, Play

TODDLER TIP

Rhymes and songs that involve sequencing and memory can help children prepare for school. In the “Bug in the Box,” listen for a certain phrase, and then react to it with a large physical movement. In addition to having fun, your child is actually developing their gross motor skills. -Lambert

TODDLER ACTIVITY

Ask your child to join you in pretending to climb into a box and shut the lid. It’s very dark inside! Turn the handle and begin reciting the rhyme, Bug in the Box. On the last line, pop out of the box.

BABY TIP

Even though babies will not actually understand number words and concepts, rhymes with numbers prepare them for the idea of numbers and for counting by rote or imitation. Later, they will connect the concept to the words. -Lambert

BABY ACTIVITY

Recite “Here is the Beehive” with your baby while adding all the hand motions. This is a great getting ready or diaper-changing song.

Books Presented

Snappy Little Bugs by Claire Nielsen

Join the great big bug hunt! Playful rhymes introduce little ones to a rib-tickling collection of hopping, jumping, sliding, fluttering pop-up surprises. These cute, but crawly, creatures almost leap into life as they make their moves across the pages. Youngsters will meet web-spinning spiders, wriggling worms, dragonflies, ladybugs, and more! And don’t miss the surprise from the grasshoppers!

Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! by Bob Barner

A nonsense rhyme introduces children to familiar bugs. Includes a fun facts section.

The Itsy Bitsy Spider by Iza Trapani

 
In this expanded version of a popular song, the itsy-bitsy spider’s climbing is interrupted by a fan, a mouse, a cat, and some dew before she makes her way to the top of a tree to spin her web.

Jump! by Scott M. Fischer

 
From bugs and frogs to alligators and whales, frightened animals always move out of the way of a larger opponent.

Over in the Garden by Jennifer Ward

 
Over in the garden, mother insects and their children enjoy various activities from morning sun to evening moon.

Hello, Bugs! by Smriti Prasadam

Babies and toddlers will love to meet the adorable bugs in this engaging book! Little hands can turn the sturdy board pages to meet a host of cute characters, including a ladybug, a caterpillar, a bee, a grasshopper, a dragonfly, a snail, and more. Simple text introduces readers to a handful of first words, while the bold artwork features each bug in its natural environment.

Wiggle Jiggle by Megan Vermaak, Mathapelo Mabaso, Chenel Ferreira

 
Wiggle-Jiggle is a cute and cuddly caterpillar story with very cute rhythm, rhyme, and repetition.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

 
Follows the progress of a very hungry caterpillar as he eats his way through a varied and very large quantity of food, until, full at last, he forms a coccoon around himself and goes to sleep.

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

Giddy-up, Giddy-up

Giddy-up, giddy-up ride to town (bounce babies on knees)
Giddy-up, giddy-up up and down (lift baby up and down)
Giddy-up fast (bounce quickly)
Giddy-up slow (bounce slowly)
Giddy-up, giddy-up, giddy-up, whoa! (dip baby backwards gently)
-storytimekatie.com

Bouncy Bouncy Baby

Bouncy, bouncy baby. Bouncy, bouncy baby
Up and down, up and down.
Bouncy, bouncy baby.
Hippity hop little one. Hippity hop little one
Back and forth, back and forth.
Hippity hop, little one.
Bippity bop, baby. Bippity bop, baby
Jiggity, joggity, jiggity, joggity
Bouncy, bouncy…BOOM!
-jbrary.com

Bug in the Box

Bug in the box sits so still.
Will he come out?
Yes, he will!

Insects on Me

(Tune: Farmer in the Dell)
A fly is on my face
A fly is on my face
Heigh-ho just watch me go
A fly is on my face.

Other verses:
A gnat is on my nose…
A hornet is on my head…
A bee is on my back…

Rainbows in my Bubbles

(Tune: She’ll be Coming Round the Mountain)
I’ve got rainbows in my bubbles, yes, I do
I’ve got rainbows in my bubbles, yes I do
When I look up towards the sun,
They’ve got rainbows every one
I’ve got rainbows in my bubbles, yes, I do

Here is the Beehive

Here is the beehive.
But where are all the bees?
Hiding away where nobody sees.
Here they come flying out of their hive.
One, two, three, four, five!

Here is the beehive.
But where are all the bees?
Hiding away where nobody sees.
Here they come flying out of their hive.
One, two, three, four, five!

Buzz up high. Buzz down low.
Buzzing fast. Buzzing slow.
Buzz to the left. Buzz to the right.
Buzz all day but sleep at night

Here is the beehive.
But where are all the bees?
Hiding away where nobody sees.
Here they come flying out of their hive.
One, two, three, four, five!

Baby Sign Language

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MARCH Book Babies + Toddlers: Lambs

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March Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

Story TimeGet ready for March magic with our early literacy programs! Book Babies – Wednesdays at 9:30 AM for babies not yet walking and their grown-ups. Enjoy songs, stories, baby sign language, movement, and sensory activities. Toddler Time – Mondays & Tuesdays...

FEBRUARY Book Babies + Toddlers: “C” is for Counting

One, two, three, count with me. It’s as easy as can be! Teaching numbers at an early age can be great fun! Here are some fun ways to introduce numbers to your infant or toddler: ? 0-1 Year (Introduction to Numbers) Talk & Count: Count fingers, toes, and everyday...

JANUARY Book Babies + Toddlers: S is for Soup

Making and eating soup can be a sensory explosion for you and your child, especially when you make it together. Look for ingredients with a variety of colors, textures, and scents, then talk about where they came from, or count the pieces you’ve cut. Here are some...

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Old School PoetryThis February, let love take center stage! Stop by our special collections area to type out a heartfelt poem on our vintage typewriter—whether it’s for a dear friend or your favorite pizza. Drop your masterpiece into the submission box nearby if you'd...

NOVEMBER Book Babies + Toddler Time: Duck, Duck, Goose

“Play is serious business when it comes to a child's health and development. From peek-a-boo to pat-a-cake and hide-and-seek to hopscotch, the many forms of play enrich a child's brain, body and life in important ways.” HealthyChildren.org. When reading books with...

OCTOBER Book Babies + Toddlers: Horses & Ponies

This is how the ladies ride… clippity-clop, clippity-clop. This is how the gentlemen ride… giddy-up, giddy-up. This is how the cowboys ride… Yee haw! Ride ‘em cowboy!! There are many rhymes and songs about horses which encourage parent and child communication,...

SEPTEMBER Book Babies + Toddlers: Feelings

Ah, emotions… however big or small, can be difficult to manage for everyone, especially children. There are, however, tips and tricks you can use to help your child learn how to recognize and regulate their feelings, and you can start early, even with an infant. The...

New Temporary Hours of Operation

New Temporary Hours of Operation

New Temporary Hours of Operation

The library will be closed on Wednesday, November 11 for Veteran's Day. No items are due. Thank you.

Due to staffing shortages, we will be temporarily reducing our hours of operation starting

Thursday, April 13

 

Our new hours will be:

  • Monday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday – Wednesday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
  • Thursday: 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
  • Friday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
  • Saturday: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
  • Sunday: CLOSED

We hope to be able to return to our regular hours within a short period of time.

Thank you for your understanding.

Story Time: A is for Armadillo

Sometimes, both children and adults may hesitate to engage with non-fiction books, finding them too challenging, boring, or uninteresting. However, non-fiction books play a crucial role in helping children connect with and understand the world around them, expand...

SEPTEMBER Book Babies + Toddlers: ABCs

Let’s learn the ABCs! Did you know that babies are already learning to read? Through visual exposure to colorful books and alphabet toys, seeing letters repeatedly helps them become familiar with their shapes and forms. Pair that with a familiar song and rhyme, and...

Story Time: A is for Alligator

Did you know that alligators are big lizards that live in muddy water places like swamps and rivers? They can grow as large as a school bus! Alligators also have a strong tail that helps them swim really fast, almost as fast as a car. They have a special eye cover...

September Activities for Teens

Teen Action CouncilThe Teen Action Council gathers to discuss plans and come up with ways for the Library to serve teens. Ages 13-18 are invited to join us Wednesday, Sept. 3 in the Community Room at 4 PM!Teen CraftsTeen Crafts is back! Join us on Thursday, Sept. 4 at...

September Activities for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

Story Time and Early Literacy Dive into tales, tunes, and tiny triumphs at our Early Literacy programs in the Community Room—tailored for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and their grown-ups! Story Time (ages 2–5 + adult) Tue 10:30 AM & 6:30 PM (Activity Room) |...

September Activities for Adults

Dungeons & DragonsTuesdays, Sept. 2, 16, & 30 at 5:30 PM in the Community Room Calling all adventurers! Whether you're a battle-hardened bard or brand-new to the game, join our Dungeons & Dragons adventures for adults (18+) and step into a world of...

August Programs for All Ages

Teen Action CouncilThe Teen Action Council gathers to discuss plans and come up with ways for the Library to serve teens. Ages 13-18 are invited to join us Wednesday, August 6 in the Community Room at 4 PM!Crafty Corner Join us for Crafty Corner, an informal meet-up...

Storytime: Purple

Grapes, lavender, eggplants, and purple crayons—oh, the fun things that are purple! They're all waiting in a book, ready for you to discover. Mix blue and red playdough to create your own purple, then cut out shapes with cookie cutters. Don't forget to try these...

Storytime: Green

Green is the color of grass, trees, and many leaves. It makes us think of nature, spring, and fresh things growing. Frogs, peas, and apples can be green too! Green is a calm and happy color that helps us feel peaceful and full of energy. It’s like a big hug from...

July Programs for Adults

Summer Reading is Here! You can sign up now for Summer Reading: Color Our World! With Beanstack you can sign up online, or you can visit us at the Library and track your reading on paper. Your final goal is 3,000 pages, but you earn prizes for every 1,000 pages you...

MARCH Book Babies + Toddler Time: MY BODY!

MARCH Book Babies + Toddler Time: MY BODY!

MARCH Book Babies + Toddler Time: MY BODY!

March is all about MY BODY!

Book Babies: Wednesday @ 9:30am in Community Room

Ages 0 – 10 months

Toddler Time: Monday & Tuesday @ 9:30am in Community Room

Ages 11 – 23 months

 

Welcome Songs

Here We Are Together

Here we are together, together, together! Oh, here we are together in our library. There’s (sing names)… Here we are together in our library!

Hello Everybody

Hello everybody let’s clap our hands*, clap our hands, clap our hands. Hello everybody let’s clap our hands today! *pat our head, stretch up high, wiggle our fingers, tickle our knees, kick our feet, bounce up high!

S, T, R, W, P

(Sing while pointing to each finger on your child’s hand.) Sing, talk, read, write, play! Sing, talk, read write, play! Sing, talk, read, write, play! Sing, talk, read, write, play each day!

Sing, Talk, Read, Write, Play

TIP

Singing helps your child hear the smaller sounds in words, and it helps to build their vocabulary. It slows down the sounds that words make. Being able to hear and recognize the beginning, middle and ending sounds that make up words helps children sound out words when they begin to read. – https://torontopubliclibrary.typepad.com/kids-books/2021/05/5-things-to-know-about-singing-and-early-literacy.html

ACTIVITY

Sing, instead of read, a favorite rhyming book.

Books Presented

Toes, Ears, & Nose! : a lift-the-flap-book by Marion Dane Bauer

Baby is bundled in a mountain of clothes! As little ones lift the large, sturdy flaps to find out what’s underneath each piece of clothing, they’ll love playing and learning with this fun peekaboo book again and again!

From Head to Toe by Eric Carle

Encourages the reader to exercise by following the movements of various animals; presented in a question and answer format.

Bear Has a Belly by Jane Whittingham

Do you have a nose like Fox, cheeks like Squirrel, and a tongue like Frog does? In rhythmic text perfect for an energetic read-aloud, Bear Has a Belly points out Moose’s legs, Otter’s back, and Duck’s feet, inviting little ones to chime in with every body part they share in common. Bright photographs of the animal friends are paired with images of real children of diverse backgrounds and abilities who are joyfully engaging with that body part.

Horns to Toes and In Between by Sandra Boynton

Three creatures point out their body parts.

Whose Knees are These? by Jabari Asim

Takes a loving look at knees from the vantage point of a mother’s lap.

Eyes, Nose, Fingers, and Toes: A First Book All About You by Judy Hindley

A group of toddlers demonstrate all the fun things that they can do with their eyes, ears, mouths, hands, legs, feet–and everything in between.

Where is Baby's Yummy Tummy? by Karen Katz

A rhyming text and flaps illustrate parts of the baby’s body.

My Body by Jill Ackerman

Textures, flaps, and reflective mirror help babies discover different parts of their bodies.

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

Gregory Griggs, Gregory Griggs

Gregory Griggs, Greggory Griggs
Had 27 different wigs
He wore them up (lift baby up)
He wore them down (bring baby back down)
To please the people of the town.
He wore them east (tip baby to one side)
He wore them west (tip baby to the other side)
But which one did he love the best?
This one! (hug baby)

Where Is Big Toe?

(Tune: Where is Thumbkin?)
Where is big toe? Where is big toe?
Here I am; here I am!
Touch baby’s toe
Wiggle, wiggle, big toe
Wiggle, wiggle big toe
Wiggle baby’s toe
My big toe, my big toe.

Where is elbow…bendy, bendy elbow
Where is tummy…squishy, squashy tummy
Where are two eyes…winky blinky two eyes
Where are two hands…happy clappy two hands

Oh The City is Great and The City is Grand

Oh the city is great and the city is grand
There’s a whole lot of people
on a little piece of land
And we live way up on the 57th floor
and this is what we do when we go out the door.
We take the elevator up and the elevator down,
take the elevator up, take the elevator down
Take the elevator up and the elevator down
and we turn around.

Lots of Exercise

(Tune: Farmer in the Dell)
We’re jumping up and down,
We’re jumping up and down
We’re getting lots of exercise
We’re jumping up and down

(We twist from side to side)
(We bend and touch our toes)
(We stretch up to the sky)

 

The Diaper on the Bottom

(Tune: The Wheels on the Bus)
The diaper on the bottom
Comes off, off, off
Off, off, off, Off, off, off
The diaper on the bottom
Comes off, off, off
Nice and clean!

Baby Sign Language

More Book Babies

SEPTEMBER Book Babies + Toddlers: ABCs

Let’s learn the ABCs! Did you know that babies are already learning to read? Through visual exposure to colorful books and alphabet toys, seeing letters repeatedly helps them become familiar with their shapes and forms. Pair that with a familiar song and rhyme, and...

APRIL Book Babies + Toddler: Birthdays

It’s my birthday! Did you know that birthdays aren’t just fun and exciting for children—they’re also a great learning opportunity? Looking forward to and celebrating a birthday helps children understand traditions, family gatherings, and the joy of giving and...

MARCH Book Babies + Toddlers: Lambs

Many of us grew up with classic nursery rhymes like Mary Had a Little Lamb and Baa, Baa, Black Sheep. As you teach those songs to your child, consider incorporating these additional activities to expand both your and your baby's nursery rhyme repertoire.Book Babies:...

March Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

Story TimeGet ready for March magic with our early literacy programs! Book Babies – Wednesdays at 9:30 AM for babies not yet walking and their grown-ups. Enjoy songs, stories, baby sign language, movement, and sensory activities. Toddler Time – Mondays & Tuesdays...

FEBRUARY Book Babies + Toddlers: “C” is for Counting

One, two, three, count with me. It’s as easy as can be! Teaching numbers at an early age can be great fun! Here are some fun ways to introduce numbers to your infant or toddler: ? 0-1 Year (Introduction to Numbers) Talk & Count: Count fingers, toes, and everyday...

JANUARY Book Babies + Toddlers: S is for Soup

Making and eating soup can be a sensory explosion for you and your child, especially when you make it together. Look for ingredients with a variety of colors, textures, and scents, then talk about where they came from, or count the pieces you’ve cut. Here are some...

Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

Old School PoetryThis February, let love take center stage! Stop by our special collections area to type out a heartfelt poem on our vintage typewriter—whether it’s for a dear friend or your favorite pizza. Drop your masterpiece into the submission box nearby if you'd...

NOVEMBER Book Babies + Toddler Time: Duck, Duck, Goose

“Play is serious business when it comes to a child's health and development. From peek-a-boo to pat-a-cake and hide-and-seek to hopscotch, the many forms of play enrich a child's brain, body and life in important ways.” HealthyChildren.org. When reading books with...

OCTOBER Book Babies + Toddlers: Horses & Ponies

This is how the ladies ride… clippity-clop, clippity-clop. This is how the gentlemen ride… giddy-up, giddy-up. This is how the cowboys ride… Yee haw! Ride ‘em cowboy!! There are many rhymes and songs about horses which encourage parent and child communication,...

SEPTEMBER Book Babies + Toddlers: Feelings

Ah, emotions… however big or small, can be difficult to manage for everyone, especially children. There are, however, tips and tricks you can use to help your child learn how to recognize and regulate their feelings, and you can start early, even with an infant. The...

Storytime: “K” is for Keys

Storytime: “K” is for Keys

Storytime: “K” is for Keys

Here’s the key to, well… the mystery! Locks and keys are fascinating to children. Try putting a favorite toy, book, or treat in a suitcase and lock it with a luggage padlock. Then hide the key and give your child a clue of where to find the key. Watch the delight as they open the suitcase and find the surprise. Of course, this is a great moment to help them see mystery… K is the fist letter in the word, “key.”

Join us Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room.

Ages 2-5

Sing, Talk, Read, Write, Play

Tip

Rhymes and songs that involve sequencing and memory can help children prepare for school. In the rhyme, “I’m a Duck,” children listen for a certain phrase and then react to it with a physical movement. In addition to having fun, they are actually developing their gross motor skills.

Activity

Have fun together while acting like the various animals in the rhyme, “I’m a Duck!”

Books Presented

The Little Golden Key by Roberto Aliaga

One Saturday morning, the Mouse brothers set off in search of adventure. They were very happy: the big one, the middle-sized one, and the little one. Next to the path, they saw something glittering, like a little piece of the sun. It was a little golden key. But what did it open? Could it be the key to a pirate’s treasure chest? Would it open the gates of a gigantic medieval castle? The three brothers, restless and eager to find what the key opens, will embark on an adventure to solve the great mystery. The answer, however, is closer than they think…

 

 

Duck Duck Moose by Mary Sullivan

Duck, Duck, Moose! Where is Goose? Help four friends search for Goose in this laugh-out-loud rhyming picture book.

 

 

Rhyme Crime by Jon Burgerman

 
In this buoyant rhyming romp, words have gone mysteriously missing: Who stole Marlow’s happy smile, and replaced it with a crocodile? Who swiped Dingle’s sneeze–aaaaachooo!–and left a stinky cheese? The thief took Tumble’s orange, and switched it with a . . . with a . . . Hey, does anything rhyme with orange? No? Aha! Could this be the rhyming robber’s undoing?

Dot and Jabber and the Big Bug Mystery by Ellen Stoll Walsh

Dot and Jabber, mouse detectives, try to solve the mystery of the disappearing insects.

 

 

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

Little Mouse

Little mouse, little mouse
Are you in the red* house?
*blue, pink, yellow…

I’m a Duck

Tune: Frere Jacques (Are you Sleeping?)
I’m a duck, I’m a duck, (sign language for duck)
Watch me waddle, as I walk. (waddle walk)
Hear me when I talk, Hear me when I talk
Quack, Quack, Quack! Quack, Quack, Quack!
I’m a moose, I’m a moose,(sign language for moose)
Watch me clomp, as I walk. (clomp walk)
Hear me when I talk, Hear me when I talk
Moook, moook moook! Moook, moook moook!
I’m a goose, I’m a goose, (sign language for goose)
Watch me sway, as I walk. (waddle walk)
Hear me when I talk, Hear me when I talk
Honk, honk honk! Honk, honk honk!

Crafts and Activities

K is for Key

Make a fun key windchime

Additional Books

Little Library Mouse: Even When You are Little, You can Imagine Big by Stephanie Lisa Tara

 
At closing time a key locks the library and unlocks the dreams of a little mouse who waits in the shadows.

 

Who Pushed Humpty Dumpty? And Other Notorious Nursery Tale Mysteries by David Levinthal

 
Police detective Binky investigates the theft of a golden goose, the poisoning of Snow White, and other fairy tale crimes

HEY! A Colorful Mystery by Kate Read

A pink fish is mistaken for something scary and a rumor about a great big fish hiding in the deep grows. The red octopus is especially rattled.

The Three Golden Keys by Peter Sis

Led by a cat on a magical journey through Prague, a man encounters some of the city’s landmarks and three traditional Czech fairy tales while trying to find the keys to his childhood home.

More Story Times

Story Time: A is for Armadillo

Sometimes, both children and adults may hesitate to engage with non-fiction books, finding them too challenging, boring, or uninteresting. However, non-fiction books play a crucial role in helping children connect with and understand the world around them, expand...

SEPTEMBER Book Babies + Toddlers: ABCs

Let’s learn the ABCs! Did you know that babies are already learning to read? Through visual exposure to colorful books and alphabet toys, seeing letters repeatedly helps them become familiar with their shapes and forms. Pair that with a familiar song and rhyme, and...

Story Time: A is for Alligator

Did you know that alligators are big lizards that live in muddy water places like swamps and rivers? They can grow as large as a school bus! Alligators also have a strong tail that helps them swim really fast, almost as fast as a car. They have a special eye cover...

September Activities for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

Story Time and Early Literacy Dive into tales, tunes, and tiny triumphs at our Early Literacy programs in the Community Room—tailored for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and their grown-ups! Story Time (ages 2–5 + adult) Tue 10:30 AM & 6:30 PM (Activity Room) |...

August Programs for All Ages

Teen Action CouncilThe Teen Action Council gathers to discuss plans and come up with ways for the Library to serve teens. Ages 13-18 are invited to join us Wednesday, August 6 in the Community Room at 4 PM!Crafty Corner Join us for Crafty Corner, an informal meet-up...

Storytime: Purple

Grapes, lavender, eggplants, and purple crayons—oh, the fun things that are purple! They're all waiting in a book, ready for you to discover. Mix blue and red playdough to create your own purple, then cut out shapes with cookie cutters. Don't forget to try these...

Storytime: Green

Green is the color of grass, trees, and many leaves. It makes us think of nature, spring, and fresh things growing. Frogs, peas, and apples can be green too! Green is a calm and happy color that helps us feel peaceful and full of energy. It’s like a big hug from...

July Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

Summer Reading is Here! You can sign up now for Summer Reading: Color Our World! With Beanstack you can sign up online, or you can visit us at the Library and track your reading on paper. Check out our Summer Reading page for our prize schedule and more details.Story...

June Events for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

Summer Reading is Here! You can sign up now for Summer Reading: Color Our World! With Beanstack you can sign up online, or you can visit us at the Library and track your reading on paper. Check out our Summer Reading page for our prize schedule and more details.Story...

May Kids ‘n’ Tween Programs

Books For Boys & Great Reads for GirlsMeet Princess Cimorene—a princess who refuses to be proper. She’s everything a princess shouldn’t be: headstrong, tomboyish, smart… And bored. So bored she runs away to live with Kazul, one of the most powerful dragons around!...